What was the last TV show you watched?

[Fading Fast]

I got into Man In the High Castle finally, and I'm currently halfway through the first season.

Really enjoyed the series. Lost its way somewhat in the last season, but a great first 2-3 seasons.

 

[belfastboy]

Really enjoyed the series. Lost its way somewhat in the last season, but a great first 2-3 seasons.

Most of the series I have watched over the years, even my all time favourites, have lost their way somewhere after season 3 or so. To me it shows the absolute challenge to the writers to maintain viewer interest but too often they feel compelled to create plots ever more convoluted or unbelievable or just plain boring (with the characters continuing to do the same dumb shit episode after episode). European series, esp the police dramas, are really bad for creating ever more complex and unbelievable plot lines. I realize there is a great pull to profit from a successful series but most of them would have been better served if they killed it after 3 seasons and walked away. Somewhat like the ball player playing past his prime and becoming but a shadow of his former brilliance.

 

[MisterCairo]

The Terror. AMC. each season is a new story. This one is based around the Japanese-American, WWII, and internment camps. I'm curious about how the Japanese, and more specifically the Japanese acting world, are receiving this. It's good to have jobs. It's good to not be the token ethnic actor etc. But how many stereotypes are going to be maintained and all that. Maybe it will do a great job and avoid a lot of that sensitivity. It was a rather uneventful opening episode.

I loved the first series, in part because of the real history behind it, and of course the fact that both ships, HM Ships Terror and Erebus, had been found in Canada's north just before the series aired*.

I too saw the first episode of the new series, and will give it a chance, but it did nothing to "speak to me". It reminded me of a lower quality episode of Supernatural, without Sam and Dean.

*Speaking of which, we are now surveying the interiors of the ships. Apparently they are in such good condition, they expect to find legible documents and maps. Check out the first teasing samples of photos:

http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canad...AGrypZ?li=AAggNb9&ocid=iehp#image=AAGrypZ_1|5

They surveyed 90% of HMS Terror. The one officer's cabin with a door closed? That of Captain Francis Crozier, who looked liked this in the tv series, as portrayed by the great Jared Harris -

 

[MisterCairo]

The Wire - I tried to watch it but I couldn't keep track of the story or care too much about anything in it. More a reflection on my interests than the show, which I am sure was beautifully produced.

I like your point. I've said I didn't like such and such a show, movie, etc., and been "attacked" with "What, are you saying we're all wrong for liking it? It's not "good""? No, I say I did not like/enjoy/get it. The "greatest movie ever made" is usually said to be Citizen Kane. Or as I call it, two plus hours of my life I'd like back.

now well into series 2 of Peaky Blinders. Rewatching the show on Netflix, with the fifth series due to drop on the BBC over the weekend

I just discovered that series three is available on Blu-ray for North America, have been searching for years. We've seen up to and including four, series 3 and 4 on Netflix (Canada), but we NEED the physical copy. Really hoping we get it on Netflix ASAP for 5.

PS - I love your "hate on" for Churchill! I disagree with it, but love reading your comments! (NOT looking to start a debate BTW!)

I've concluded that a heck of a lot of the stuff that still gets talked about from the 60s was created, enjoyed, and held together by a small minority. We have this false idea that EVERYONE was doing this or that, when it wasn't a great percentage of the population.

It was called the "counter culture" for a reason - it was a minority approach against the "mainstream". The "sixties" as we "recall it" was as much a product of marketing and rose-coloured rear-view glasses as anything out there. There were no more hippies in the sixties than there were greasers in the 50s, or bobby soxers in the 40s.

I got into Man In the High Castle finally, and I'm currently halfway through the first season.

I would love to see this, but we refuse to subscribe to yet another platform. Our independent video store closed down last year, so our ability to rent stuff is gone. As well, I can't afford the go online and buy a series on spec any more (new house). Bummer...

 

[Edward]

I like your point. I've said I didn't like such and such a show, movie, etc., and been "attacked" with "What, are you saying we're all wrong for liking it? It's not "good""? No, I say I did not like/enjoy/get it. The "greatest movie ever made" is usually said to be Citizen Kane. Or as I call it, two plus hours of my life I'd like back.



I just discovered that series three is available on Blu-ray for North America, have been searching for years. We've seen up to and including four, series 3 and 4 on Netflix (Canada), but we NEED the physical copy. Really hoping we get it on Netflix ASAP for 5.

PS - I love your "hate on" for Churchill! I disagree with it, but love reading your comments! (NOT looking to start a debate BTW!)



It was called the "counter culture" for a reason - it was a minority approach against the "mainstream". The "sixties" as we "recall it" was as much a product of marketing and rose-coloured rear-view glasses as anything out there. There were no more hippies in the sixties than there were greasers in the 50s, or bobby soxers in the 40s.



I would love to see this, but we refuse to subscribe to yet another platform. Our independent video store closed down last year, so our ability to rent stuff is gone. As well, I can't afford the go online and buy a series on spec any more (new house). Bummer...

#Heh. I run hot and cold on whether I hate Churchill personally, or just the mythical version.... (I often suspect that I'd have been both charmed and appalled by the real many in equal measure.)

 

[Edward]

I got into Man In the High Castle finally, and I'm currently halfway through the first season.

Looking forward to the final series of that, to see how they tie it all up. I thought the euthanasia plotline was beautifully handled, with the senior US Nazi figure having to cope with such a terrible result of the politics with which he has raised his children.

Most of the series I have watched over the years, even my all time favourites, have lost their way somewhere after season 3 or so. To me it shows the absolute challenge to the writers to maintain viewer interest but too often they feel compelled to create plots ever more convoluted or unbelievable or just plain boring (with the characters continuing to do the same dumb shit episode after episode). European series, esp the police dramas, are really bad for creating ever more complex and unbelievable plot lines. I realize there is a great pull to profit from a successful series but most of them would have been better served if they killed it after 3 seasons and walked away. Somewhat like the ball player playing past his prime and becoming but a shadow of his former brilliance.

I think part of the problem is a television culture where studios pressure writers to keep a show going because it is popular, whether or not they have any story left to tell. The great thing about the televisual golden era in recent years is that, especially with streaming, more and more shows seem to be allowed to run their natural arc, and to be finite. That way you don't have shows treading water for a series or two because they have an ending in mind, but they have to keep going and can't commit to that plot arc yet...

 

[MisterCairo]

I just finished the third and final season of Colony, produced by USA Network but I saw it on Netflix (Canada). It was cancelled, but ended on a cliff hanger.

I HATE THAT. For crying out loud, at least do perhaps a two-hour conclusion. Even Firefly came out with movie Serenity.

 

[belfastboy]

I like your point. I've said I didn't like such and such a show, movie, etc., and been "attacked" with "What, are you saying we're all wrong for liking it? It's not "good""? No, I say I did not like/enjoy/get it. The "greatest movie ever made" is usually said to be Citizen Kane. Or as I call it, two plus hours of my life I'd like back.

I remember travelling to SF during Christmas break 1968 excited to visit the mecca of Haight Ashbury. My excitement was dashed to discover it had devolved from the 1967 Summer of Love scenario to that of a dystopian scene of street people, beggars and meth heads. It was a very short lived utopia although the music scene was still vibrant.

I just discovered that series three is available on Blu-ray for North America, have been searching for years. We've seen up to and including four, series 3 and 4 on Netflix (Canada), but we NEED the physical copy. Really hoping we get it on Netflix ASAP for 5.

PS - I love your "hate on" for Churchill! I disagree with it, but love reading your comments! (NOT looking to start a debate BTW!)



It was called the "counter culture" for a reason - it was a minority approach against the "mainstream". The "sixties" as we "recall it" was as much a product of marketing and rose-coloured rear-view glasses as anything out there. There were no more hippies in the sixties than there were greasers in the 50s, or bobby soxers in the 40s.



I would love to see this, but we refuse to subscribe to yet another platform. Our independent video store closed down last year, so our ability to rent stuff is gone. As well, I can't afford the go online and buy a series on spec any more (new house). Bummer...

 

[bearinfedora]

I started to watch American Crime Story. Season I is about OJ Simpson's trial.

Oh boy!

 

[MisterCairo]

Another article on the Terror and Erebus explorations:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/terror-wreck-exploration-franklin-expedition-mystery-1.5252023

There you'll see the real portrait of Capt Crozier, second in command of the expedition...

 

[Fading Fast]

Looking forward to the final series of that, to see how they tie it all up. I thought the euthanasia plotline was beautifully handled, with the senior US Nazi figure having to cope with such a terrible result of the politics with which he has raised his children.



I think part of the problem is a television culture where studios pressure writers to keep a show going because it is popular, whether or not they have any story left to tell. The great thing about the televisual golden era in recent years is that, especially with streaming, more and more shows seem to be allowed to run their natural arc, and to be finite. That way you don't have shows treading water for a series or two because they have an ending in mind, but they have to keep going and can't commit to that plot arc yet...

To your first point on MITHC's handling of the euthanasia plot - spot on with your view, couldn't agree more.

And the same on your second point, at least some times, it seems even successful shows are allowed to end gracefully even if there's still money to be made.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

Sharp Objects. HBO. This wasn't high on my list to-watch, but I knew it wasn't a huge investment. I think it took me more than a month to watch the eight episodes. The feel of the series was good, then tedious, but always consistent. One of those typical murder mysteries with lots of information and "leads" never explored or finished. I want to call this an arty production, but it really wasn't that arty. It was pretentious like that. It was more about the characters than the murders, but the characters didn't really go anywhere. Then...THEN...I find out that they give more to the ending during the credits and after the credits. What kind of stupid crap is that? I didn't watch the credits, so now I have to go back and do so. If it had been a greatly told story, with more things earned, it wouldn't be so frustrating. As is, screw these shows that pull jerk moves like putting information after the credits begin.

 

[Bushman]

I would love to see this, but we refuse to subscribe to yet another platform. Our independent video store closed down last year, so our ability to rent stuff is gone. As well, I can't afford the go online and buy a series on spec any more (new house). Bummer...

I already get Amazon Prime Video through my Prime account, but I wasn't using Prime Video at the time the series began, though I did recall wanting to start it at the time. One day I finally took the plunge, and now I'm very much happy that I did.

 

[Edward]

I just finished the third and final season of Colony, produced by USA Network but I saw it on Netflix (Canada). It was cancelled, but ended on a cliff hanger.

I HATE THAT. For crying out loud, at least do perhaps a two-hour conclusion. Even Firefly came out with movie Serenity.

I don't know.... sometimes it's great. For years I was very happy with the way Twin Peaks ended (I still have yet to see Series III, so can't comment on that). I guess it depends on the cliff-hanger in question; sometimes I like an ambiguous ending.

I started to watch American Crime Story. Season I is about OJ Simpson's trial.

Oh boy!

This is for another thread, but it makes me feel old that I remember watching the real thing on TV in my early years in law school - and now I teach kids in a lawschool who were born after it happened!

And the same on your second point, at least some times, it seems even successful shows are allowed to end gracefully even if there's still money to be made.

I think sometimes the 'spin-off show' helps here as a way of keeping the original fresh, or changing the tone. I love The Walking Dead; the Fear.... spin-off was a clever way of keeping going with a very different tone to it. Now the comic book original has come to an end, I'm curious as to what they'll do here. I can see them ending one but keeping another gonig - perhaps the first really big multi-show franchise since.... Star Trek?

I already get Amazon Prime Video through my Prime account, but I wasn't using Prime Video at the time the series began, though I did recall wanting to start it at the time. One day I finally took the plunge, and now I'm very much happy that I did.

I like Prime a lot. HUmmed and hawed as we already have Netflix, but I fidn now I use both about the same - very little crossover here in the Uk. As well as ones I really wanted to see, I've discovered a lot of shows I might otherwise never have seen - Vikings, Turn - as well as some fantastic films like Ravenous. I still pay my TV licence because I love the BBC, but I rarely watch anything on linear broadcast any more, even when travelling.

 

[MisterCairo]

I guess it depends on the cliff-hanger in question; sometimes I like an ambiguous ending.

The main character is about to do something heroic to save the world.

Roll credits...

This was killed off one series too soon based on the story line. No word or even rumour of Netflix saving it like they have done in the past.

This was more of a bummer than the fluffy A&E series cliffhanger ending of "The Glades". Main character gets shot.

Roll credits...

 

[MisterCairo]

I love The Walking Dead; the Fear.... spin-off was a clever way of keeping going with a very different tone to it.

I have followed Fear the Walking Dead since it was a series of commercial break mini-episodes, starting with an outbreak on an airliner (which later appears "on the ground" in an early episode). Nowadays I actually prefer it to TWD.

 

[belfastboy]

About mid way through the SoYouThinkYouCanDance season. It seems as though each season the bar is raised. To me it is the best of the 'reality' contest shows. As a long time dance (ballet) fan the artform to my eyes has evolved so much and now dance is a fine marriage between grace/artistry and pure athleticism. The combination is very compelling. Add in watching the dance styles and dancers more on the fringes, hiphop, break dancers, tappers rise to the challenge (or not) that the other forms present makes for very compelling TV

 

[Doctor Strange]

Made a second run through both seasons of Fleabag, this time with my (adult) daughter. I know it's not everybody's cup of tea, but I think it's brilliant and totally deserves its pile of Emmy nominations.

 

[Fading Fast]

Made a second run through both seasons of Fleabag, this time with my (adult) daughter. I know it's not everybody's cup of tea, but I think it's brilliant and totally deserves its pile of Emmy nominations.

It's not always easy watching, but it is very smart and well done.

Have you seen "Dead to Me" or "In the Dark" (the one from 2019 with Perry Mattfield), both are different than "Fleabag," but ones I think you'd enjoy?

 

[Doctor Strange]

Nope. I'm way behind in my viewing - I've got long-term houseguests and I'm not sole master of TV decisions. Not that either of those series looks something that I'd rush to check out. Too much media!